Kremer Scouring rush

For polishing wood, for scratch-free smooth surfaces, for gilding.

Equisetum, commonly known as scouring rush, horsetail, snake grass, or puzzle grass, is a very common, deep-rooted and quickly spreading vascular plant, regarded as nuisance by many hobby gardeners. The best-known of the Equisetum species is the common horsetail or field horsetail (Equisetum arvense) which has been used for medical purposes since ancient times. Winter horsetail or rough horsetail (Equisetum hyemale) is one of the oldest tools for polishing. Its stems contain up to seven percent abrasive silicates which give them a certain roughness. Soaked in water, the stems become flexible and can then be used for the final polishing process on wood or plaster to produce an even smoother finish than sand paper. Similarly, bundles of rough horsetail were used for scouring (cleaning) metal items, especially those made of tin, hence the term scouring rush or the alternative German name „Zinnkraut“ („tin-herb“).